The amount of time you've been birding is less important than you might think. There are plenty of 30/40 year birders out there who are frankly not very good and by contrast some very good birders who haven't been birding very long Take as much as you can from every time you go out; really look and question.

As for the birds, you're right to stick to Twite and right to plump for Dunlin

You got me looking at the pics from the conversation, it was like an extra mystery birds photos for the month, i wont comment on what the birds are as to not butt into a conversation, but some nice pics on your flickr, the overhead great skua is superb,

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Did you see it? It was small and brown and flew that way.........................

Not sure about the last two...perhaps someone can view my piccies on Flickr (MARKBEE3) and advise.Fantastic place to visit, even for a weekend. Red backed Shrike and Wryneck reported by Shetland Birding but I never managed to see either. As expected, puffins, guillimots and razorbills already left.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/76345032@N04/

Rather than just answer your query Mark (because you'll learn little that way), I'd ask if there is anything about the Twite which you think doesn't fit what you'd expect of the species? Bill colour, overall streakiness, underparts colour and streaking, white on the secondaries? Is there really anything else it could be?

As for the wader, compare in particular your bird's bill length and the black 'spotting' on the side of the belly (lower flanks) to that of Little Stint (in any plumage) then to something a little commoner .

Let me know how you go on

-- Edited by Ian McKerchar on Wednesday 5th of September 2012 02:11:38 PM

Not sure about the last two...perhaps someone can view my piccies on Flickr (MARKBEE3) and advise.Fantastic place to visit, even for a weekend. Red backed Shrike and Wryneck reported by Shetland Birding but I never managed to see either. As expected, puffins, guillimots and razorbills already left.

Hi Mark best spot for dolphins, whales etc is probably off sumburgh head in the south of the mainland. This is a great elevated vantage point for a sea watch for orcas occasionally too. Plus that area is always good for migrant birds the sumburgh hotel area and the gardens near grutness are good too. I found a rustic bunting in the fields near sumburgh head. For otters I have been told the pool of virkie is very good south east mainland. I managed to walk from sumburgh head to virkie, no otters when I went but locals say its good. That's just off the top of my head I'll look it up and post again, hope this helps Kev

I just spent 5 days on these stunning islands as a birthday present. What a place! Easily some of my best UK birding, only one lifer but since this was mainly a photographical expedition that's not the point! I'm putting some of the better shots on my blog for people to look at if they please, but only one day at a time as there's so many to trawl through (i've never had 10,000 to get through before, but there's a first time for everything!) I can sum up the species seen though: